The leading for Japan, which measures the future economic activity, decreased more-than-expected to the weakest level in nearly three years in December, preliminary figures from the Cabinet Office showed Friday.
The leading index fell to 102.0 in December from 103.2 in the previous month. Economists had forecast the index to drop to 102.7.
The latest reading was the lowest since January 2013, when it marked 101.6.
The coincident index that indicates the current economic activity also slipped to 111.2 to December from 111.9 a month earlier.
It was expected to fall to 111.0. Moreover, the recent score was the weakest in nine months.
The lagging index that reflects the past economic activity, came in at 115.6 in December, unchanged from November.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.